Ancient Cave Town, wineries and Stalin Museum

On the drive this morning we could once again see the beautiful Caucus mountains.

Uplistsikhe is one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia, tracing back to the end of the 2BC. It was a significant political and religious center during the Hellenistic period and the Late Middle Ages.

The town was strategically located on a high rocky bank of the Mtkvari River and served as a major trade and cultural center along the Silk Road. It was a pre-Christian pagan settlement, and when Christianity was introduced in the 4th century AD, both pagan and Christian architecture co-existed for centuries.

Mostly destroyed by the Mongols in the 13th century, it was subsequently abandoned, only being used as a temporary shelter during foreign invasions. An earthquake in 1920 also caused significant damage. It is believed that there are many more cave structures nearby which are being held for future discovery.

We visited Gori, the town where Stalin was born in 1878, and the museum dedicated to his life and legacy. The exhibition includes personal belongings, documents, photographs, and gifts given to Stalin and has been controversial because of its portrayal of him and the focus on his achievements rather than the atrocities committed under his rule. A death mask from 1953 concludes the exhibit.

Also on site is the tiny wooden house where he was born and his personal armored railway car that he used to travel due to his phobia of being in a plane explosion.